A flatbed and sheetfed hybrid document scanner with medium volume. Since then, scanning hardware and software have advanced significantly. The new ScanJet Pro is quicker, leaner, and more dependable than its predecessor, and it turns pages into editable text in a fraction of the time. The Xerox Duplex Combo Scanner, the current winner of our entry-level Editors’ Choice award, has a smaller automated document feeder (ADF) than the 3600 f1, which retains almost twice as many pages. The ScanJet Pro 3600 f1 is a more-than-capable document organizer for busy small offices and workgroups, though we’d enjoy it even more at a little lower price.

A little under 12 pounds and 5.2 by 19.4 by 12.8 inches (HWD) are the dimensions and weight of the ScanJet Pro 3600 f1. The majority of current rival sheetfed/flatbed combos are of a size that is comparable to today’s HP; the Epson DS-1630 Flatbed Color Document Scanner is a bit smaller and lighter, and the Xerox Duplex Combo is nearly the same size but weighs half as much.

The 3600 f1 includes two USB connections, one for connecting to a single computer and the other for scanning to flash drives. The scanner is not networkable, making it unavailable to other PCs on your network and disabling connections to the majority of portable mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

By inserting a thumb drive or other USB storage device into the back of the scanner, you can operate the ScanJet autonomously without a computer. As previously indicated, the scanner depends on a collection of process profiles (HP refers to them as shortcuts) that contain all setup and configuration information, including scan resolution, file format, and destination. In Scan Pro, shortcuts can be edited or you can add your own; both setup and use are quick and easy.

The ability to capture multicolored images and documents with multiple colors is another area where scanners and scanning software have advanced. We don’t generally test flatbed scanners for speed, but I did so in order to assess the HP’s scanning accuracy and detail rather than speed. I did this by placing a number of images of various sizes as well as colorful drawings, corporate graphics, and full-color brochures on the glass. You can use the ScanJet without a computer by inserting a thumb drive or other USB storage device into the back of the scanner. As previously indicated, the scanner depends on a collection of process profiles (HP refers to them as shortcuts) that contain all setup and configuration information, including scan resolution, file format, and destination.

You can edit shortcuts or create your own in Scan Pro; it’s all straightforward and simple to set up and use.

The ScanJet Pro 3600 f1 is our new preferred intermediate hybrid sheetfed/flatbed scanner if your home office or small business needs more than entry-level performance and volume.

You can purchase the HP ScanJet Pro 3600 f1on our website @ www.firststep.ng